Combined self-lubricating bearing and supporting structure for bobbin spindles



Sept. 26, 1933. J. M. ETHERIDGE 1,928,525

COMBINED S LUBRICATING BEARING AND SUPPORTING RUCTURE FOR BIN SPINDLESFiled Deo. 1951 rai-@naa sept. ze, less vCMl'INED SELF LUBRICATINGBEARING AND rSUlPlE"OBICHING STRUCTURE FOR BOB- BIN Sllill'DlLlESfv JohnM. Etheridge, columbus, ea.

Application December 21, 1931 Serial No. 582,472

9 Claims. r(Cl. 308-169) My invention relates to a combinedself-lubricating bearing and supporting structure for high speedspindles which carry the bobbins of spinning machines.

The essential objects of my` invention are to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth", a combined bearing and supporting structure ofthe class referred to for continuously lubricating, without waste of thelubricant a high speed bobbin carrying spindles'during `the operationgofthe latter whereby it is maintained cooled which results in prolongingthe life thereof; for causing a continuous circulation 'of the lubricantfrom and to a lubricant reservoir forming an element of the structure;for connning the `lubricant in a manner'to prevent thesplashingthereof,`during the operation of the spindle upon the machine with whichthe spindle is associated or upon the material being fed to and woundupon the bobbin; :for materially reducing the cost of lubricating upkeepfor the spindle; and to attain these ends in a comparatively simple,strong, durable, compact, thoroughly eiiicient, readily assembled andcomparatively inexpensive `structure.`

To the above ends essentially and others which may hereinafter appear,my invention consists of such parts and such combination of parts whichfall within the scope ofthe invention as claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a cornbined self-lubricatingbearing and supporting structure, in accordance with my invention for ahigh speed spindle and showingthe adaptation thereof withrespect to the`latter.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-7-2 Figurel.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3'-3 Figure 1.

f Figurefi is a section on line 4-4 Figure 1.

The combined spindle bearing'and supporting structure is extendedthrough "an opening 1 in a spindle rail 2 and is vclamped to the latterin a manner to be presently referred to. A bobbin spindle is indicatedgenerally at 3 and'includes oppositely taperedportions 4, 5, the latterbeing extended into its bearing and supporting structure and is spirallygrooved, in its periphery as at 6. The lower end of portion 5 ispointed, as at 7. VThe whirling element for the, spindle 3 is indicated.generally at 8 and Aincludes a peripherally grooved annulus 9adaptedtobeconnected to a driving means, not shown for element 8.Extending from the annulus 9 is a verticalsleeve 10 having an inwardlyrextending annularY flange 1,1 which is xedly secured by any suitablemeans to spindle 3.

Mycombined self -lubricating bearing and 'supporting structure for thespindle `includes a casing referred to generally at 12 and whichcomprises a base part 13, an intermediate part 14 and an upper part l5.The parts 13 and 14 are tubular, but the inner diameter of part 13k isless ythan that of part 14 thereby providing a shoulder roi greaterouter diameter than part 14, a lateral portion 2() of a width less thanthe outer diameter of andextended from portion 19 and a verticallyvdisposed cylindrical portion 21 of greater height than portions 19 and20 and which extends upwardly from the outer end of lateral portion 20v.

The portion 19 has upon its inner face twoA dift ferent diameters, thelargest indicated atA 22 is threaded and the smallestindicated at23corresponde to the inner diameter of part 14. The setting of the innerface o1" part `15 upon two .diiierent'diameters provides a shoulder 24."The portion 21 provides a lubricant reservoir `2,5 having a hingedclosure 26 for the top thereof.

The part 15 is formed with a lubricant feed pas-- l sageZl which extendsfrom the bottom of reservoir 25, through portion"20 and opens atthethreaded part of the inner face of portion 19. The part 15 has alubricant returnk passage 28 which leads from the non-threaded part ofthe. k

inner face of portion 19, through portion 20 below passage 27, Vthroughthe lower part of portionv 2l below reservoir 25 and then upwardly inportion 21 and opens, as at 29, into reservoir 25 abovethe bottom of thelatter. is indicated at 30. n y

Secured within the part 13 is a combined bearing, support and lockmember 31 and which has a reduced peripherally threaded portion 32 eX-tended into part 14. The portion 32 at its topi The lubricant [is formedwith a seat 33 for the pointed lower end '7 of spindle 3. The largestpart of member 17 is of a diameter to seat against the inner vface ofpart 31 and is formed with a` vertically. "disposed groove 34 ofsemi-circular cross sectionv f and diametrically opposite the groove 34the said largest part of member 31 is formed with a vertical groove 35having a portion of its base or inner wall incurved as indicated at 36.Extending through the opening 17 andV engaging in sov groove 34 is alocking pin 37 for the member 31.

Encompassing the part 5 of spindle 3 is a tubular bolster 3S having itsinner face tapered throughout. The bolster' is of greater length thanpart 3 and includes a lower end portion 39 formed with a downwardlyopening socket 40 for Y receiving the reduced portion 32 of member 31.

The portion 32 threadedly engages with the wall of socket 40 for lockingthe bolster 38 and member 31 together. The spindle 3 extends into socket40 to engage seat 33, the latter vproviding a bearing for pointed end'7. At a point above the socket 40 bolster 38 is `formed with'lubricantoutlet ports 4l. The portion 39 has peripheral lengthwise extendingspaced grooves 42 which selectively receive a resilient latch 43 whichis anchored to the base of groove 3'5 and extends above portion 32 ofmember 3l. The upper portion of bolster 38 is enlarged, as at 44 andsuch portion is formed with lateral openings 45, 46 and 47-andlengthwise grooves 48, 49, 50 which Ycommunicate with grooves 45, 46 and'47 respectively and such openings and grooves provide air ducts orpassages. A

Secured to the threaded innerV face of part 15, extended above anddepending from the latter is a bushing 51 having its inner diameter'corresponding tothe outer diameter of portion 44 of bolster 38 and ofgreater ldiameter than the outer diameter of bushing 3S below theportion 44 of the latter. The bushing 51 has a portion of its lengthenlarged, as at 52, and such portion is .interposed between thetransverse median of the point in close proximity to the outlet ports 41vformed on the bolster 38 and interposed between the latter and bushing51 adjacent the ports 41 is an airtight packing 56 which closes thebottom of a lubricant receiving space '57 kformed between the bushingand bolster.

The casing 12 in connectionvwith that portion ofthe bushing below theenlarged portion 52 ofthe latter, the bottom of saidA portion 52 and theVshouldervlb` provides a lubricant well 58 which receives the lubricantthrough ports 41. The lubricant is conducted 'from well 58 to reservoir25 by passage 28.`

Carried by the peripherally threaded portion of casing 12 is a clampingnutV 59, which in connection with washer 60 and part l5 of casing l2anchors the combined self lubricating and spindle supporting structure4to the rail 2.

The bushing v51'has its upper end arranged below that of the bolster3K8. The bushing extends through the annu1us'9 and into sleeve 10 andthe flange 11 of the latter seats on the top of bolster 38. The spindlewhirling element 6 is loosely mounted relative to the bolster andbushing and whichpermits for the entrance of air to thestructure.

The structural arrangement is such that as the spindle begins to speed`up,-the groove therein will provide forr the lubricant to be conducteddownwardly. The lubricant willlbe discharged Athrough the outlets inthebolster into the well,

ldiate its ends with means secured in the upperV and from the latter itwill be conducted to the reservoir whereby a continuous circulation ofthe lubricant will be had during the operation of the spindle. Thelubricant is supplied to the space between the bolster and bushing andfrom there fed vto within the bolster to enter the groove in thespindle.

What I claim is:-

1. In combination, a bolster for the passage of a peripherally groovedrotatable spindle, an 85 open top casing for receiving a part of thebolster and formed withanormally closed reservoir for containing a bodyof lubricant, means carried by the casing for locking the bolstertherewith and for supporting the lower end of the spindle, a

bushing extending into and provided intermediate its ends with meanssecured in the upper end of the casing, said bushing encompassing thebolster, said bushing, bolster and casing having coacting means forfeeding lubricant from the reservoir tothe spindle, said casing andbushing 'having coacting means to form a lubricant well,

said bolster having lubricant outlet ports opening into said well, andsaid casing having means for conducting the lubricant from said well tothe i reservoir.

2. In combination, a bolster for the passage of av peripherally groovedrotatable spindle, an open top casing 'for receiving a part of thebolster and formed with a normally closed reservoir for con- :1 Dtaining a body of lubricant, means carried by the casing for locking thebolster therewith and for supporting the lower end of the spindle, abushing extending into and provided intermediate its ends with meanssecined in the upper end of the *lo casing, said bushing encompassingthe bolster,

ksaid bushing, bolster and casing having coacting Vmeans for feedinglubricant from the reservoir to the spindle, said casing and bushinghaving r coacting means to form a lubricant well, said bol- 11" sterhaving lubricant outlet ports opening into said well, said casing havingmeans for conducting the lubricant from said well to the reservoir,

.said bolster and bushing having coacting parts ,Y o

to provide a lubricant receiving space, and means 'L0 for sealing saidspace from said Well.

r3. In combination, a bolster for the passage of a peripherally groovedrotatable spindle, an open top casing for receiving a part of thebolster o, and formed with a normally closed reservoir for d containinga body of lubricant, means carried by the casing for locking the bolstertherewith and for supporting the lower end ofthe spindle, ya

reservoir-tothe spindle, said casing and bushing havingcoacting means toform a lubricant Well, 235 said bolsterhavinglubricant outlet portsopening into said well,-said casing having means for conductingthelubricant from said well tothe reservoir, and said 'bolster havingmeans toprovide air intakesto said space and spindle.

4. AInconibination, a lbolster for the passage of a peripherally groovedrotatable spindle, an `,pen top casing for receiving a part of thebolster rand formed with a normally closed reservoir for containing abody y'of lubricant, means carried 14 by the casing for locking thebolster therewith and for supporting the lower end of the spindle,a`bu`shing' extending linto and provided intermeend of' the casing,sa'id bushing encompassing 150 the bolster, said bushing, bolster andcasing having vcoacting means for feeding lubricant from the reservoirto the spindle, said casing and bushing having coacting means to form alubricant well, said bolster having lubricant outlet ports opening intosaid well, said casing having means for conducting the lubricant fromVsaid well to the reservoir, said bolster and bushing having coactingparts to provide a lubricant receiving space, means for sealing saidspace from said well, and said bolster having means to provide airintakes to said vspace and spindle.

5. In combination, a stationary bolster for the passage of a peripheralgrooved rotatable spindle, an open top casinghaving laterally extendedmeans to provide a normally closed reservoir for `containing a body oflubricant, a bushing extending into said casing and secured adjacent itsupper end to the upper end ofthe latter, said bolster arranged withinand extended above the bushing, said bolster, bushing yand casing havingcoacting means for feeding lubricant from the reservoir to within thebolster fork lubricating the spindle, said casing and bushing havingcoacting means to form a lubricant Well, said bolster having lubricantoutlet means opening into said well, said casing having means forconducting the lubricant from said well to said reservoir, said bolsterand bushing having coacting parts to provide a lubricant receivingspace, and said bolster having its upper portion provided with means toform air intakes to said space and spindle.

6. In combination, a stationary bolster for the passage of a peripheralgrooved rotatable spindle, an open top casing 'having laterally extendedmeans to provide a normally closed reservoir for containing a body oflubricant, a bushing extending into said casing and secured to the upperend of the latter, said bolster arranged within and yextended above thebushing, said bolster, bushing and casing having coacting means forfeeding lubricant from the reservoir to within the bolster forlubricating the spindle, said casing and bushing having coacting meansto form a lubricant well, said bolster having lubricant outlet meansopening into'said Well said casing having means for conducting thelubricant from said well to said reservoir, said bolster and bushinghaving coacting parts to provide a lubricant receiving space, means forsealing said'space from said well, and said bolster'having its upperportion provided withmeans to form air intakes to said space andspindle.

7. In afcombined self-lubricating bearingv and supporting structure forspinning machines, high speed bobbinL carrying spindles having bolsterstherefor and bushings for the bolsters, a casing for carrying andenclosing a portion of the bushing for the spindle bolster, said casingincluding a closed base part, an intermediate part and an vide alubricant reservoir, said extensionbeing formed with a lubricant feedpassage leading from the reservoir to the inner face of said upper part;and a lubricant return passage leading from the inner face of said upperpart and opening into said reservoir above the bottom of the latter,

said return passage having a part thereof arranged below said feedpassage.

8. In combination, a rotatable spindle, a bolster encompassing a portionof the latter, a bushing encompassing the bolster for a portion of itslength, an open top casing 'encompassing said bushing for a portion ofits length and having .the bushing at a point intermediate its lengthsecured therewith, said casing having a chambered portion providing areservoir, said bushing and bolster having coacting means to provide alubricant receiving space, said bushing having a portion spaced fromythe casing to provide a lubricant well, means interposed between thebushing and bolster for sealing one end of said space, said casing andbushing having means for establishing communication between thereservoir and said space, said bolster having means for the passage oflubricant from said space to the spindle, said bolster having means forestablishing communication between the spindle and said Well, and saidcasing having means for establishing communication between the well andreservoir.

9. In a combined self-lubricating bearing and supporting structure forhigh speed spindles carrying bobbins of spinning machines, a casingprovided with a socket at one end, a bearing element for the lower endof the spindle mounted in said socket and having a reduced peripherallythreaded portion having a seat for said lower end, a spindle bolsterhaving a downwardly opening socket receiving and secured to said reducedportion, a locking pin for said element, a resilient latch between saidbolster and element, a bushing encompassing said bolster, and saidbolster, bushing and casing having means fory supplying a lubricant toand conducting it from the spindle.

